Terminal block



'July 21, 1931.

J. BURKE 1,815,233

TERMINAL BLOCK Filed July 11 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gwweutoz china. Bur/6e @351 W um 14W July 21, 1931. J. BURKE 1,815,233

TERMINAL BLOCK Filed July ll, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 avwem coz Jamw Burke @51 QMQWM A Patented July 21, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES BURKE, OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO BURKE ELECTRIC COMPANY, A

CORPORATION 013 PENNSYLVANIA TERMINAL nnoox Application filed Italy 131,

This. invention relates toterminal blocks and particularly to a terminal block adapted to accommodate a series of-conducting lead wires for interconnecting circuits.

The object of this invention is to provide a terminal block of simple and inexpensive construction which will insulate the various lead wires from each other and interchan eably receive different types of connectors or w the lead wires. A

A further object of the invention is to provide a terminal block provided with circuit breaking switches.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a target or numberin means for positively identifying the indlvidual lead wires.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent by reference .to the following 2" specification and the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan'view of a terminal block partially broken away to show the details of construction;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is'a perspective view of a portion of the block showing the circuit breaking switch construction in open position;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the terminal block arranged with permanent connections between the terminals partially broken away to show the details of construction;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig 5;

ig. 7 is a sectional view online 77 of Fig. 5; and

I Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the terminal block showing the arrangement of the permanent connections.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the block as a whole com- 5 prises a molded body portion 10 of insulat- 1927. Serial Ho. 204,75'7.

ing material. This block is provided with a series of inwardly tapered rooves or slots 11 extending transversely 0 formed between transverse partitions 12 and end walls 13 which have openings 14 for bolts, screws, or the like, for attaching the block to any suitable supporting means. The partitions 12 and the end walls 13 are cut away at 15 so as to form the grooves or slots 11 with enlarged sections adjacent the outer extremities of the slots. The end ortions of the slots are circular in formatlon providing a sufficient space to make a complete eye on the end of the terminal lead wires for attaching to the terminals of the block. Metal inserts 16 are permanently embedded in the base of the block during molding forming terminals These inserts or terminals extend from the base of the grooves or slots 11 and are knurled and grooved to insure a permanent anchoring means and are of such a diameter that they occupy the en-.

tire enlarged circular section of the slots 11, forming an extensive contact surface. There is also embedded in the block during molding at each corner and extending inwardly from the top surface ofthe block the inserts 1'? for screws 18 which secure in lace a cover, corner portions of which are indicated at 19 in Figs. 1 and 3. Inserts 20 are also embedded in certain of the partitions 12 for screws 18 to secure a target or marking strip indicated at 19 the central ortion oi the upper surface as shown in and 7. I

Circuit breaking switches 21 are secured to the inserts or terminals by means of washer head terminal screws 22 which are threaded into the terminals 16 forming connections for the lead wires and also a securing means for the switch parts. The switches are of the knife blade type having circular base portions 23 of the same diameter as the cut away sections 15 between the partitions 12. Extending upwardly from the circular base porigs. 5, 6

the block andlll tions are the U-shaped sections 24 which are substantially of the same width as the base of the slots 11 thus assuring proper alignment of the two parts of the switch, as circular portions 23 are of the same diameter as the space between the cut away sections 15 between adjacent partitions and the U-shaped portions 24: fit the base of the slots ll preventing rotation of the switch parts. To one of the ll-shaped portions is pivoted the knife blade 25 formed of'two flat strips of spring metal riveted together and provided with extensions 26 to which is secured an operating insulating knob 27. One of the fiat strips is rovided with outwardly extending stop 28 'or positioning the knife blade 25 at an operating position. I

In some instances it is desirable to permanently connect the terminals without a circuit breaking switch and to accomplish this electrical conductor strips or jumper bars 29 are connected transversely to adjacent terminals. The jumper bars 29 are dumbbell shape, fiat metal strips conforming to the configuration of the base of the slots 11, assuring absolute alignment and contact with the upper surface of the terminals 16. The base block of this invention is adapted to have mounted thereon interchangeable types of connectors which are properly and definitely aligned when placed in the grooves. The block may have all jumper bars or all switches substituted therefor or it may be constructed to have the combination of jumper bars in some grooves and switches in other grooves. The grooves are adapted to receive a jumper bar at one time and a switch at another time depending on the use of the particular circuit. The target or marking device is adapted to be attached to the upper surface over the grooves of the block toward a longitudinal edge so that it does not interfere with the operation of the switches.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 show the interchangeable target or marking device attached to the central portion of the block which is permissible when only jumper bars are used in the grooves.

I claim: v 1. A terminal block comprising a solid body of insulating material, a series of transverse artitions forming grooves between said partitions, said partitions having cut away sections, a plurality of terminals disposed in.

said cut away sections at the base of said ooves and extending within the base of the look below the base of said grooves, and removable means for connecting the terminals transversely of the block, said removable means being wholly self-positioning.

2. A terminal block comprising a solid body of insulating material, a series of transverse partitions forming tween said partitions, said partitions having cut away sections, a plurality of terminals grooves be-v atlases disposed in said cut away sections at the base of said grooves and extending Within the base of the block below the base of said grooves, and removable for connecting the terminals transversely of the block, said removable means conforming to the shape 0% said grooves and being wholly self-positioning.

3. A terminal block comprising a solid body of insulatin material, a series of transverse partitions rorming transverse grooves all adapted to interchangeably receive anyone of a plurality of different types of connecting means between said partitions, a plurality of terminals in said grooves and interchangeable connecting means for connecting the terminals in the grooves.

4. A terminal block comprising a solid body of insulating material, a. series of transverse partitions forming transverse grooves adapted to interchangeably receive dlfi'erent types of connecting means between said partitions, a plurality of terminals in said grooves, interchangeable connecting means for connecting the terminals in the grooves, and a markin device on said block positioned lengthwise along a longitudinal edge so that the interchangeable connecting means may be used for connecting the terminals in said grooves without interfering with the operation of the connecting means.

5. A terminal block comprisin a solid body of insulating material provided with end sections for supporting means, a series of transverse partitions forming tapered grooves between said partitions, and said end sections, said partitions and end sections having cut away sections and a plurality of terminals disposed in said cut away sections at the base of said grooves and extending within the base of the block below the base of said grooves, and switches for connecting the terminals transversely of the block, the parts of the switches bein constructed to conform to the shape of sai grooves.

6. A terminal block comprising a solid body of insulating material provided with end sections for supporting means, a series of transverse partitions forming tapered grooves between said partitions and said end sections, said partitions and end sections having cut away sections and a plurality of termmals disposed in said cut away sections at the base of said ooves and extending within the base of the look below the base of said grooves, and switches formed in two co-operating sections for connectin said terminals,

the said sections automatica ly being aligned for operation upon being placed within said grooves.

7. A terminal block ofan integral mass of molded insulating material comprisin a. series'of transverse partitions anchor devices molded in place between said partitions, and integral and separable switch terminal connectors interchangeably fitting between-said forming narrow JAMES BEE of transverse 

